Feeding machine



FEEDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15', 1923 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H92 [79 M5 ZflEJiz/dam INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Dec. 1924- 1,520,634

N. P. B. ESKILDSEN FEEDTNG MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 192 5 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 @UQIE g 1 WITNESS: ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES NELS P. B. ESKILDSEN, O'F HAMPTON, NEBRASKA.

FEEDING MACHINE.

Application filed September To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELS P. B. Esxmosnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hampton, in the county of Hamilton and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feeding Machines, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to feeding machines especially adapted for handling fodder and has for an object the provision of a. machine by means of which fodder may be unloaded from a wagon, truck or the like and fed to a cutter, preparatory to being cut for storage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combined hoisting and feeding machine which is simple in construction, easy to operate and by means of which a maximum amount of material may be handled in a relatively short time and with a minimum amount of labor.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a combined hoisting and feeding machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same.

gigure 3 is a view looking at the opposite en Figure 4 is a top plan view.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 6 is a transverse section.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail section illustrating one of the spring actuated stops.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail elevation of the ratchet drive mechanism.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the conveyor chain.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the invention as shown comprises a trough which includes a bottom 10 and side walls 11, the opposite ends of the trough being open as shown. The trough is preferably longitudinally inclined and is supported upon a structure which includes sills 12 and standards 13, certain of the latter extending upward above the sides of the trough.

These upwardly extending standards 13 support a superstructure which includes 15, 1923. Serial No. 662,873.

transverse beams 14 and a centrally arranged longitudinally disposed beam 15. This last mentioned beam supports a track 16 which is secured thereto as shown at 17.

Tra veling upon the track 16 which extends beyond one end of the trough is a carriage 18, the said carriage having depending there from pulleys 19 over which passes a cable 20. This cable also passes over pulleys 21 and has secured to its end a double tree 22, or other convenient means of attachment to draft animals. The cable 20 has mounted thereon hooks 23 and these hooks are adapted to engage a sling (not shown) which may extend transversely across the body of a wagon, truck or the like, around a load of fodder or other material, so that by means of the cable, the load may be elevated above the bottom 10 of the trough and the carriage moved inward to deposit the load within the trough. When in this position, the sling may be tripped and the load deposited upon the bottom of the trough.

Extending and movable longitudinally of the bottom 10 of the trough are spaced con veyor chains 24, the said chains carrying spaced projections 25 which engage the load when the latter is deposited upon the trough body. The chains 25 pass around sprocket wheels 26 which are carried by shafts 27 and 28 located transversely of the trough, the said chains running within tracks 29.

The shafts 27 and 28 are mounted in suitable bearings 30 and the first mentioned shaft has secured thereon a ratchet 31.

I Pivotally mounted upon one side of the trough is a substantially L-shaped lever 32 which is adapted to actuate dogs 33 through the medium of connecting rods 34;. These dogs 33 are mounted upon arms 35 which are movable upon the shaft 27 and are forced into engagement with the teeth of the sprocket wheel 31 by springs 36. Thus, when the lever 32 is moved pivotally, the dogs 33 will alternately operate to rotate the sprocket wheel and consequently the shaft 27 which constitutes the driving shaft for the conveyor chains 24:. A platform 37 is provided for the operator of the lever 32.

Located at the opposite end of the trough are spaced upwardly extending arms 38, the said arms being pivotally mounted upon plates 39 secured to the bottom of the trough. These arms 38 are adapted to move inwardly, which movement is resisted by means of springs 40, movement in the opposite direction however beyond the vertical being prevented. Thus, as the load enters this end of the trough, the arms 38 will be depressed as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 7 but will be moved to a vertical position under the action of the springs 40 after the load has passed so as to prevent any of the said load from falling out of this end of the trough.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A feeding machine comprising a trough open at one end a load hoisting apparatus at one end thereof, means whereby the hoisting apparatus may be moved inward to de rsao esa posit the load within the trough movable means located in the path of and operated by the load when the latter enters the trough to prevent movement of said load in an opposite direction and means for feeding the load to the opposite end of the trough.

2. A feeding machine comprising a trough open at one end, a load hoisting apparatus at one end thereof, means whereby the hoisting apparatus may be moved inward to deposit the load within the trough, pivotally mounted vertically disposed spring elevated arms located at one end of the trough in the path or and adapted to be depressed by the load as the latter enters the trough to prevent movement of said load in an opposite direction and means for feeding the load to the opposite end of the trough.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

NELS P. B. ESKILDSEN. 

